Search

The article discusses the creation of multi-service networks which will allow India to link intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms, and satellites. Ajay Lele at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis says that the country needs more satellite technologies. The defense ministry will continue to develop satellite imaging, air defense, and coastal surveillance systems.

The article focuses on satellites to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2016. Topics discussed include launch of seven satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) aiming to address socioeconomic needs by improving road and marine navigation and disaster management, launch of heavy communications satellite GSAT-11 which is expected to transform telecommunications operations and launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk. 3).

The article offers information on failed space technology programs in Asia. Three recent examples of which are the KSLV-1 launch vehicle of South Korea, the Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter of India and the Indonesian telecom satellite. South Korea is currently collaborating with Russia to determine what caused its aircraft to fail during fairing separation.

The article informs that according to some industry officials, much-needed money for new technology demonstrators will allow Europe to maintain critical space expertise and match efforts underway or planned in the U.S., China and India, but just barely, and in any case not enough to prevent a new round of layoffs. Satellite suppliers, for whom ESA largesse is a relatively new phenomenon, expressed satisfaction with the level of support. Joel Chenet, director of strategy at the company Alcatel Alenia Space, said it would help the industry keep up in areas such as advanced EHF communications where strong military funding is giving U.S. competitors a big advantage.

Reports on India's policy towards satellite and Internet services. Clarification of rules and procedures for private domestic firms and foreigners' competing with the state-owned Insat system; Recognition of negative economic impact of not keeping pace with the developed world's satellite services and broadband communications.

The article examines civilian use of astronautics in India. The country's extensive use of artificial satellites in both telecommunication and remote sensing designed to improve rural economic and social conditions is considered. India's Space Research Organization (ISRO) maintains 275 facilities which provide satellite-based services to area residents.

The article focuses on the plan of the United Arab Emirates to build a fleet of telecommunications and Earth-observation satellites that it eventually hopes will transform into an operational and industrial capability. Among the space initiatives in the Middle East are a Turkish submetric optical surveillance system and India's Risat-2 radar imaging satellite. YahSat's plan to supply a 1.2-billion U.S. dollar dual-use telecommunication system is considered the most ambitious project.

The article reports on the failure of Eutelsat's W2M telecommunication spacecraft which is being investigated by EADS Astrium and the Indian Space Research Organization. Eutelsat announced the failure on January 28, 2009 saying that the satellite had suffered a major anomaly in its power subsystem during transfer from the in-orbit testing orbit to its intended operating slot at 16 degrees. A failure could dent Astrium's hopes of using the Indo-European partnership formed in February 2006.

The article reports that MSG-2, the second leg in Eumetsat's 2-billion-euro second-generation geostationary weather forecasting system, blasted off from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on December 21 on an Ariane 5 booster, along with Insat 4A. It is the largest telecommunications spacecraft to be orbited by India. As on the other MSG spacecraft, the primary instrument on MSG-2, is a spin-scan radiometer designed to provide visible/infrared imagery and data on clouds and the atmosphere. Two additional MSG spacecraft are to be orbited in the coming years to expand the reliability and continuity of data for the system, which is to remain operational until at least 2018.

The article presents news briefs related to space technology. India will launch Italy's Agile satellite as the sole passenger on its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle early next year. The first of the Italian Space Agency's Small Scientific Missions, Agile will scan one-fifth of the sky for gamma ray sources in the 30-MeV.-50-GcV. range. India will receive $10 million for the launch. The article also reports that the new XTAR-EUR X-band communications satellite will be demonstrated for the U.S. military soon, now that it has completed checkout in orbit.

Israel is planning to expand collaboration with India in the space arena, and is negotiating a role in Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. The Israel Space Agency (ISA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have signed an agreement that will allow ISA to launch a telescope payload on an Indian experimental telecommunication spacecraft, GSAT-4, in late 2005. The telescope package, dubbed Tauvex, consists of three 32-kg telescopes. The telescope is designed to study black holes, the formation of stars and other astronomical phenomena. ISA and ISRO also said that they have started preliminary talks to cooperate jointly on micro satellites, either by combining assets or jointly developing new payloads.

The article presents news clippings related to satellite launching. India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C5, is scheduled for an October mission to put Resource Satellite-I into an 800-km Sun-synchronous polar orbit. European Space Agency scientists have used a series of observations by the Hubble Space Telescope to confirm that the Rosetta probe will indeed be able to land on a backup comet picked when launch delays forced the mission to re-target. International Launch Services will use Proton rockets with Breeze M upper stages to loft new communications satellites for Malaysia and Spain. The European Commission has issued a first call for proposals for new research to support Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system.

Presents news items related to artificial satellite programs of different countries as of May 12, 2003. Detailed analysis of the space shuttle Mission Control center at the Johnson Space Center related to Columbia; Successful testing of S/Ka-band satellite link between European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis geostationary technology satellite and NASDA Adeos II Earth observation spacecraft by Japan's National Space Development Agency and the ESA. European Space Agency; India's Insat-3A meteorological and communications satellite to go operational by mid-May 2003.

Reports on the Indian Space Research Organization's development of a reengineered version of its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle called the GSLV Mk III. Use of a solid propellant main stage and liquid strap-on boosters; Dimensions and specifications.

Reports that India-based ASC Enterprises plans to launch its privately-financed communications satellite system Agrani. Details of the planned satellite system.